“The Alcohol Problem: What Do You Think?” (1973) is a color, PSA-style film that explores American society’s relationship with alcohol and the pervasive issue of alcoholism. Produced by Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Corporation in collaboration with Martin Schulman PH.D, Department of Pharmacology at the University of Illinois Medical Center, the film is broken down into three segments titled: To Drink or Not To Drink, Physiological Effects of Alcohol, and Alcoholism. The film is composed of a combination of archival footage from Prohibition-era America as well as footage from scientific labs and venues where alcohol is present such as a house party or bar.
Opening credits overlaid scenes from bustling house party, men and women with 70s-era haircuts and clothing stand in different rooms socializing and drinking (0:14). Narration starts voice of woman passionately listing the dangers of drinking, footage shows close-up pitcher overflowing with beer after being filled with draft beer, scenes around bar men, women drinking beers from bottles and glasses (0:59). Middle aged woman in modest dress who has previously been narrating continues rant about dangers of drinking (1:11). Part 1: Prohibition under the 18th Amendment in America – black-and-white archival footage of men throwing bottles of alcohol against wall to destroy them, police raids dumping barrels of alcohol in sewers (1:16). United States Capitol Building (1:40). Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) delivering Campaign Address on Prohibition in Sea Girt, New Jersey 1932 (1:44). FDR in White House signs Beer and Wine Revenue Act into law (1:56). Celebratory ad plays proclaiming “happy days are here again,” men cheers towards camera in a bar (2:06). Short street interviews with pedestrians of different ages, ethnicities about why they drink (2:16). Cultural significance of wine around the world and over the decades as shown through Ancient Greek paintings, sculpture, Renaissance paintings (2:32). Economic significance of alcohol – montage of ads, highway billboards, stocked shelves at stores for brands like Budweiser, Old Forester (3:16). Bank of drunken man seen walking into the distance in blizzard (4:17). Part 2: Close-up yeast cells undergoing fermentation process under microscope (4:40). Researcher in lab swirls beaker of grape juice before heating it to produce clear liquid ethanol (5:00). Guest at party becomes animated outline, narrator details how alcohol affects human body (5:40). Researcher pours drink with 80-proof vodka for baseball player, breathalyzer machine measures alcohol in player’s blood before player goes up to bat, experiment continues by continually increasing alcohol and testing player’s skills (6:32). Text with statistics about fatal car accidents and alcohol, police officers booking man at station they suspect was driving under influence, put him in holding cell for the night (8:13). Part 3: Alcoholism – montage scenes group of men loitering on street corners, standing outside bars (10:14). Female scientist tests affect of alcohol on mice, lab mice in vapor box show signs of physical dependence – convulsion of body when held up by tail, withdrawal symptoms (10:43). Dr. Basil Clyman checks on alcoholic patients with residual health issues at Los Angeles County Medical Center (12:00). Medical students in lecture look at slides of healthy liver, cross section of cells in healthy liver vs. liver of an alcoholic (12:30). Dr. Clyman looks out at Los Angeles skyline from hospital window (14:03). Interview with middle-aged man, recovered alcoholic about experience with addiction (14:37). Treatment – Alcoholics Anonymous, social groups, clinics (15:20). Interview with people at counseling meeting, personal stories about alcoholism and why they started drinking (15:39). Closing credits (17:09).
We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 — President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.”
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
